By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
High Profile Defection Confirmed by Seoul's Spy Agency
A senior North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba has defected to South Korea, confirmed by Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS). The political counselor, identified as 52 year old Ri Il Kyu, is believed to be the highest ranking North Korean diplomat to escape to South Korea since 2016. The defection, which occurred in November, took several months to come to light due to the necessary courses defectors must take on South Korean society before being formally integrated.
Reasons Behind the Defection
According to South Korean media reports, Ri Il Kyu was responsible for political affairs at the North Korean embassy in Cuba. He reportedly defected due to "disillusionment with the North Korean regime and a bleak future." His duties included preventing Havana from establishing official diplomatic ties with Seoul, a task that ultimately failed when the two governments forged official relations in February, marking a setback for Pyongyang. Ri Il Kyu was quoted saying, "Every North Korean thinks at least once about living in South Korea."
Historical Context and Government Response
The last high profile defection to South Korea was that of Tae Yong ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, in 2016. Recently, South Korea marked its first North Korean Defectors' Day ceremony, during which President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged increased financial support for defectors and tax incentives for companies hiring them. President Yoon, known for his more hawkish stance compared to his predecessor Moon Jae In, supports sanctions against Kim Jong Un's regime and promises to develop technology for a pre emptive strike if necessary.
Rising Tensions Between the Koreas
The latest defection occurs amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally abandoned the goal of reunification with the South and recently labeled Seoul as "Enemy Number One." This is a stark contrast to six years ago when he met with then South Korean leader Moon Jae In. Since then, rhetoric has intensified on both sides, with propaganda balloons floated along their border towns, and North Korea recently claiming to have test fired an advanced nuclear warhead missile.
